Alcuin was a native of York, and with the aid of a lump of chalk and the side of a vacant barn could figure up things and add like everything.

He was subsequently assistant master to Aelbert, its head; and when Aelbert succeeded to the archbishopric, on the death of Egbert in 766, Alcuin became scholasticus or master of the school.

Alcuin was the principal director of the school of the palace, and the favorite, the confidant, the learned adviser of Charlemagne.